Cofounder and Director of Carrington West
I am excited to support students who have interest in entrepreneurialism and business leadership. Small businesses can be the life blood of our communities, and building them is something I am passionate about.
Simon is a University of Portsmouth graduate and co-founder of Carrington West, a technical recruitment company in Portsmouth.
Starting life in a garage in Southsea, the company is now a multi-award-winning organisation, 110+ people strong and has a turnover of £100m a year, with an annual team retention rate of 92 per cent.
Famed for its training and induction practices, Carrington West has been named as “The Platinum UK Employer of the Year” by Investor’s in People. The Sunday Times has named the business in it’s Top 10 UK Employers in 2023 as well as The Best Business Sector Employer in UK in 2025.
Simon’s philosophy is one of constant self-development, culture creation and ensuring everyone he works with has a clear vision for themselves, both inside and outside of work.
Simon works closely with his colleagues and coaches them on their goals, habits, and mindset to ensure that every day is an opportunity, whilst finding daily happiness in the progress on their journey.
Simon loves speaking to larger groups about his journey — the highs, the lows, and everything in between to fire up the next wave of risk-takers and the creators of quality employment options our economy and community so desperately needs.
Simon Gardiner offers particular expertise in:
- Pre-launch, starting and scaling a business
- Formulation of effective recruitment procedures and candidate coaching
- Vision setting, goals setting and objective planning
- Effective working, planning your time and self-management
- Mindset, focus and personal performance
- Creating a winning company culture
Carrington West
Next steps
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